Research News
First-Ever NetLogo Conference Comes to Chicago
June 19, 2026
The first-ever NetLogo user conference for both researchers and K-12 teachers runs June 29 to July 1 in Chicago at the University of Illinois at Chicago, bringing together the diverse communities of NetLogo users and agent-based modelers to share, learn, and make connections.
Northwestern Expands NetLogo's Reach with New Center
June 19, 2026
Northwestern University has launched a new center to improve and maintain NetLogo, a widely used scientific and educational software tool, and to promote literacy in scientific modeling.
Awards Round Up: Fellowships, Awards, and NCAA Titles
June 18, 2026
When alumna Maddie Zimmer arrived in Evanston in 2020, Northwestern’s field hockey team hadn’t reached a Final Four in 26 years.
Third Annual Robing Ceremony Honors PhDs
June 17, 2026
Fourteen new PhDs were honored and gifted regalia before the 2026 convocation celebration during the third annual doctoral robing ceremony at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.
2025-2026: A Year of Learning, Leading, and Policy
June 15, 2026
From our highest-ever U.S. News & World Report ranking to the first graduates of two news master's programs, it was a breakthrough year at the School of Education and Social Policy.
Honors Class of 2026
June 11, 2026
Lea Kalkowski's senior honors thesis grew from her experience interning at a legal advocacy nonprofit. After helping more than 70 people through the process of expungement — clearing a criminal conviction from the record — Kalkowski wanted to dig deeper into the issues around implementing policy.
Should AI Be Measuring AI?
June 08, 2026
Is your career ‘AI-proof?’ If you’re asking the technology itself for the answer, it can depend on which model you use, according to a new study coauthored by economist Michelle Yin.
Vossoughi Named ISLS Fellow
May 27, 2026
Shirin Vossoughi, associate professor of learning sciences at the School of Education and Social Policy, has been elected a fellow of the International Society of Learning Sciences for her work studying how and why people learn.
Fifth Graders Compete at BitCrush
May 14, 2026
Northwestern's Tangible Interaction Design and Learning Laboratory hosted its second annual BitCrush showcase, where Evanston/Skokie School District 65 fifth graders presented music projects created with Python code.
Graduate Students Awarded Dissertation Fellowships
May 14, 2026
Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy graduate students Andrew Stein and Corey Winchester have received highly competitive NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to support their research and career development.
Why Do High Schoolers See Block-Based Coding as "Not Real"?
May 13, 2026
New Northwestern University research suggests negative perceptions about block-based programming can be challenged.
Brayboy Champions Abundance Over Scarcity in AERA Lecture
April 10, 2026
The history of American schooling is tied to the forced removal of Indigenous peoples — and U.S. institutions must confront that legacy to build a fairer, more just future, School of Education and Social Policy Dean Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy said during the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Distinguished Lecture, one of the signature events of the 2026 Annual Meeting.
Destin Joins Carnegie Foundation Push to Improve High School
March 31, 2026
Professor Mesmin Destin was named a senior fellow with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, joining a national effort to bridge the gap between what young people need to thrive and what high school currently delivers.
SESP Scholars Head to Los Angeles for AERA 2026
March 30, 2026
Scholars from Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy will address Indigenous futures, AI justice, climate, democracy, and the ongoing effort to improve education at the 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.
Ecford Named to Bouchet Honor Society
March 23, 2026
Ozivell Ecford, a learning sciences graduate student at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy, has been selected for the 2026 Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, which recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and excellence in doctoral education.
More Money, Worse Results?
March 06, 2026
Mississippi spends less than half of what New Jersey does on education. Yet its fourth-graders perform better on standardized reading and math tests. Kirabo Jackson explains why.
Nuamah Earns Coveted Bellagio Residency
March 06, 2026
Northwestern University professor Sally Nuamah has been selected as a 2026 Bellagio Center resident by the Rockefeller Foundation — a prestigious 26-day residency on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.
Brayboy to Deliver AERA Distinguished Lecture
February 17, 2026
School of Education and Social Policy Dean Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy has been selected to deliver the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Distinguished Lecture, one of the signature events of the 2026 Annual Meeting.
Juniper Shelley: Around the World in 70 Days
February 04, 2026
Juniper Shelley once thought the “cool” research happened in windowless STEM labs, not in the social sciences. But after joining Professor Sally Nuamah’s lab, she realized research can also mean getting out into the world, talking to people, and exploring challenging questions.
Research-Practice Partnerships: Stories of Impact
February 03, 2026
The National Network of Research-Practice Partnerships in Education highlighted the impact of a School of Education and Social Policy initiative as part of its annual look at the work of members.
2025: Year in Review
December 18, 2025
Stories from 2025 that highlight our community, research, and faculty excellence.
David Rapp on Why Misinformation Sticks
November 21, 2025
After we take in information — whether true or not — it’s nearly impossible to avoid using it, Northwestern University psychologist David Rapp explained during the “Science of Reading: The Podcast.”
New Guidance Aims to Strengthen Education Research
November 19, 2025
A new Spencer Foundation report calls for a fresh approach to graduate education to better prepares researchers to improve schools and communities.
Northwestern Expands STEM Partnership with Baxter Foundation
November 07, 2025
The School Education and Social Policy will continue its longstanding partnership with The Baxter Foundation to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education across the Chicagoland area.
Study: Moving Between Languages Improves Learning
October 30, 2025
A new Northwestern University study shows that students who write in multiple languages can challenge English-centered norms in higher education and highlight often overlooked ways of learning.
When Yahtzee and Legos Add Up to Math
October 20, 2025
Northwestern University’s Jen Munson has received a five-year, $815,789 CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation to design spaces that make math as enjoyable as recreational reading.
Uttal Awarded Spatial Thinking/STEM-Related Grants
October 09, 2025
Professor David Uttal received three research grants from the National Science Foundation to advance the science of spatial thinking—an essential yet often overlooked skill that underpins success STEM.
Life Expectancy Drops in California Post-Covid
July 14, 2025
California has not rebounded to pre-pandemic life expectancy, based on early data obtained from the state, according to new research published in the medical journal JAMA Open.
Shared Politics Strengthen Teacher Relationships
July 07, 2025
High school teachers bond over shared political beliefs, according to a new study by Melanie Muskin, a PhD candidate in human development and social policy.
2025 Graduate Student Awards Roundup
June 19, 2025
Northwestern University’s Katarzyna (Kasia) Pomian Bogdanov, who just received her doctorate in learning sciences from the School of Education and Social Policy, received a 2025 Jhumki Basu Scholar Award from the National Association for Research in Science Teaching.
Honors Students Celebrated
June 05, 2025
Undergraduate researchers examined everything from consumer behavior and supports for dyslexic students to whether Hawai’i is truly a paradise as part of their senior thesis research projects.
Undergrads Win Awards at Research Expo
June 05, 2025
Seniors Lillian Fu, Mia Xia, and Adrienne Scheide were honored for their research at Northwestern University’s Undergraduate Research & Arts Expo, which celebrates the accomplishments and discoveries of undergraduates through poster presentations and curated student panel talks.
Binhao Wu Wins Best Oral Presentation
June 05, 2025
SESP senior Binhao Wu’s research looking at social identity and perception won Top Oral Presentation at the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium, one of the largest annual undergraduate research conferences in the country.
Graduate Student Designs Workshop in India
May 23, 2025
The Indian town of Pithoragarh is nestled in the hills beneath the towering and picturesque Himalayas. Decades ago, Gautam Bisht’s grandmother moved away from this region to seek a better education and more opportunities for her family.
Crafting Child Policy
May 20, 2025
Northwestern undergraduates wrestled with complex challenges in early childhood education before presenting policy recommendations to the Mayor's Office.
Coburn Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
April 25, 2025
Professor Cynthia Coburn was one of nine Northwestern University faculty members elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.
Scholars Present at AERA 2025
April 21, 2025
Faculty, alumni and and students will showcase their research at the 2025 American Educational Research Association’s meeting in Denver.
Anti-DEI: A Playbook from the Past
March 11, 2025
The current anti-DEI movement relies on a decades-old playbook that frames equity programs and policy as a threat to the excellence of colleges, according to new research co-authored by Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy political scientist Quinn Mulroy.
Easterday: Start Civic Education Early
March 10, 2025
Early exposure to civic education is essential to a functioning society, but it’s often taught too late in life or not at all, according to Matt Easterday, associate professor of learning sciences at Northwestern's School of Education and Social Policy.
Alumna Returns as IPR’s Inaugural Visiting Scholar
February 19, 2025
Alumna Stefanie DeLuca (PhD02), a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University and one of the nation’s leading experts on housing mobility, vouchers, and policy will be joining Northwestern’s Institute for Policy Research as its inaugural visiting scholar in May 2025.
Five Faculty Named 2025 Edu-Scholars
January 09, 2025
Five faculty members from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy were named to the 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for their work bringing research out of academic journals and into everyday lives.
Haase, Zhong Honored at Fletcher Awards
December 16, 2024
Psychological scientist Claudia Haase and undergraduate research assistant Angela Zhong, a member of Haase’s Lifespan Development Lab, were honored during a recent Fletcher Awards ceremony at Northwestern University.
How Stress Shapes the Mind and Body
October 10, 2024
Northwestern University professor Emma Adam emphasized the fundamental importance of inclusion and belonging for young people’s emotional well-being and long-term health in an interview with Susan Corwith, director of the School of Education and Social Policy’s Center for Talent Development.
Depression and the Transition to Adolescence
September 09, 2024
The size of a brain structure involved in memory and learning may play a key role in developing depression during the transition to adolescence, according to new Northwestern University research looking at the interaction between the hippocampus and social environments.
Teachers on TikTok: ‘I Quit’
September 06, 2024
Disillusioned American teachers use the social media platform TikTok to portray the profession as fundamentally unsustainable, according to a new case study by Melanie Muskin, a graduate student at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
Study: Tutoring + Tech Can Accelerate Learning
August 20, 2024
Frequent, in-person tutoring sessions combined with the strategic use of technology can reduce costs and help overcome pandemic-related learning loss, according to new research co-authored by Northwestern University’s Jonathan Guryan.
Nuamah: ‘Black Women Are Superlative Participators in Democracy’
August 16, 2024
Black women will be listening closely to speakers at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, says Northwestern University scholar Sally Nuamah, who has explored their role in American politics.
Callegari Wins Cog-Sci Fellowship
August 14, 2024
Graduate student Julia de Oliveira Callegari received a 2024- 2025 Northwestern Cognitive Science Advanced Research Fellowship to support her work looking at the interplay between identity, culture, and learning in children.
Doctoral Robing: A New SESP Tradition
July 11, 2024
Seven new PhDs were gifted regalia and honored during a special robing ceremony prior to the 2024 convocation celebration as part of a new School of Education and Social Policy tradition.
National Academies Releases Report on Equity in STEM Education
July 09, 2024
Faculty members and alumni co-authored a new National Academies' report on equity in science education, reflecting the School’s leadership in the field of learning sciences and STEM education.
Undergrad Research Shines at Annual Expo
June 09, 2024
Lillian Fu and Eden Moore were honored for their research at Northwestern University’s Undergraduate Research & Arts Expo, which celebrates the accomplishments and discoveries of undergraduates through poster presentations and curated student panel talks.
Scholars Head to Philly for AERA 2024
April 08, 2024
More than 75 Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy scholars and alumni are participating in the American Educational Research Association’s annual meeting in Philadelphia April 11 through 14, 2024.
Faculty Member Wins Ver Steeg Award
March 25, 2024
Northwestern University political scientist Quinn Mulroy received The Graduate School’s 2024 Ver Steeg Award for her often behind-the-scenes work supporting graduate students throughout the University, whether she was assigned to formally mentor them or not.
Learning Scientists Named to National Academies’ Committee
March 21, 2024
Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil and alumnus Victor Lee (PhD08) of Stanford University have been named to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine consensus committee charged with looking at artificial intelligence and data science in K-12 education.
Closing the Gender Gap in Computer Science
March 12, 2024
Student-run groups designed to foster a sense of belonging and solidarity among women in computer science may help boost female participation in the field, according to new Northwestern University research.
When Black Boys Have Black Teachers
March 08, 2024
Black teachers are less likely to identify same race students as needing special education services, according to new research by Northwestern University alumni Cassandra Hart (PhD11) and Constance Lindsay (PhD10).
New Study: How Do White Americans View Muslim Immigrants?
February 27, 2024
White Americans do not support permanent residence (or green cards) for Muslim immigrants – even if they’re white, according to new research coauthored by Northwestern University’s Tabitha Bonilla.
The Mass Psychology of Trumpism
February 21, 2024
Donald Trump’s enduring appeal stems from the perception--his own and others’--that he is not a person, Northwestern University psychologist Dan P. McAdams wrote in New Lines Magazine. “In the minds of millions, Trump is more than a person,” he wrote. “And he is less than a person too."
When Poor Peer Relationships Undermine Children’s Mental Health
February 21, 2024
Children who have difficult relationships with their peers show increases in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorder as they head into adolescence, according to a new Northwestern University study.
Worsley Named Jacobs Fellow
February 01, 2024
Northwestern University’s Marcelo Worsley has been named a research fellow with the Jacobs Foundation to support his work helping students learn computer science through sports.
Researchers to Study School Reform in Evanston
February 01, 2024
Northwestern University researchers received a five-year, $4.5 million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation to study racial equity, STEM education, and school reform in Evanston.
CTD Researchers Win Mensa Award
January 06, 2024
Scholars from the School of Education and Social Policy’s Center for Talent Development received the Mensa Foundation’s Award for Excellence in Research for a study looking at whether interventions designed to help underachieving gifted students actually work.
Faculty Recognized for Relevant, Useful Research
January 06, 2024
Five faculty members were named to the 2024 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings for their work bringing research out of academic journals and into everyday lives.
Yin Secures Grant for Disability Transitions Project
December 06, 2023
Michelle Yin received a five-year $2.98 million grant from the US Department of Education and the Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to help children with disabilities transition from high school to adult life, independent living, and successful careers.
We Have a Solution For Learning Loss. Why Aren't We Using It?
November 07, 2023
Researchers are calling on lawmakers to give schools more time and money to implement and expand intensive tutoring, a strategy that could address the massive learning loss created by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
CTD Awarded U.S. Department of Education Javits Grant
October 26, 2023
The Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy was recently awarded a 5-year, $600,000 Jacob K. Javits Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
These Two Alums Won Knowles Fellowships
August 24, 2023
Northwestern University alumni Claire Sampson (MS23) and Rose Taylor (MS22) are the latest School of Education and Social Policy recipients of a five-year fellowship from the Knowles Teacher Initiative.
Why it’s So Hard to Speak Up at Work
August 24, 2023
Whether you’re taking a stance against a bad idea or suggesting a new, innovative one, it can be scary and risky to advocate for workplace changes contrary to the conventional wisdom, Ryan Smerek says in his new book. But if done right, there are significant rewards.
Revolutionary Civics: How Should Evanston Spend $3 Million?
August 23, 2023
The residents of Evanston, Ill. have no shortage of ideas about how to spend a tidy $3 million sum in federal COVID-19 relief funds. Protected bike lanes? Affordable housing? What about revitalizing the downtown area, improving mental health services, or fixing sidewalks?
Faculty Research Informs White House Report
August 09, 2023
An influential White House report on the nation’s economic progress cites research by four Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy faculty members in areas from early education and school funding to college readiness.
Does School Autonomy Improve Test Scores?
August 01, 2023
A new working paper by School of Education and Social Policy economist Kirabo Jackson found that granting more autonomy to high-quality principals and to principals of schools with atypical needs (like bilingual education or a population of students with special needs) increased student test scores, Mike McShane wrote in Forbes.
MAPSCorps Symposium Celebrates Young Scientists
July 31, 2023
Young researchers who spent the summer pounding the pavement and collecting data about assets in their communities in Chicago, New York, and Rocky Mount (NC) will present their research during MAPSCorps’ 15th annual Scientific Symposium on Friday Aug. 4 at Malcolm X College in Chicago.
Defining Childhood in the Age of Tech
July 24, 2023
Researchers explored the meaning of childhood in a tech-infused world during the Association for Computer Machinery’s annual Interaction Design and Children (IDC) Conference at Northwestern University.
E4 Center Brings Together Researchers and Educators
June 28, 2023
Educators, researchers, and curriculum providers gathered at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) for a conference focused on K-12 mathematics instruction.
Counseling Program Reduces Teen Girls’ PTSD Symptoms
June 19, 2023
School-based group counseling programs can significantly reduce post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression among Black and Latina girls, according to new research co-authored SESP economist Jonathan Guryan.
Rapp's Lab Combats Misinformation
June 05, 2023
Professor David Rapp and his students hold down an especially lively corner of psychology, one that requires them to mix it up with scholars, scientists, and journalists on a regular basis, Delia O’Hara wrote in a story for the American Psychological Association.
(Re) Building Education: What Can Other Countries Tell Us?
May 01, 2023
Northwestern University’s James Spillane received a $70,700 Spencer Foundation grant to study how other countries are rebuilding their education systems following the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Research: Navigating the Risks of Party Rape
April 03, 2023
– from Northwestern Now
Women who have experienced sexual violence at fraternity parties have often been blamed for what happened to them. But new research on an elite college campus found that it’s becoming less common to fault the victim.
How has COVID Affected Children and Teens?
March 05, 2023
Three years after COVID was labeled a worldwide pandemic, experts are still assessing the impact on kids and debating whether closing schools was a good idea.
Mesmin Destin: Messages That Can Change a Child’s Life
January 19, 2023
Whether the timing is intentional or serendipitous, hearing certain messages at critical moments can offer hope and keep people inspired to work towards their goals, Northwestern University’s Mesmin Destin said during a TEDxChicago talk at the Harris Theater.
What if Parents Designed Education Systems?
November 28, 2022
A new report co-authored by Northwestern University professor James Spillane explores the benefits of building education systems that develop the “whole” child and use the same rigor and comprehensive care that a parent might invest in their own offspring.
Researchers Develop Novel Way to Assess DEI Programs
November 28, 2022
A systematic planning tool called “change mapping” can help analyze whether complex diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or initiatives are working, according to new research by Northwestern University alumna Jue Wu (PhD21).
Schwandt’s Research Finds Pandemic ‘Baby Bump’
October 26, 2022
Working from home may have boosted fertility among college-educated women, according to a new National Bureau of Economic Research working paper co-authored by Northwestern University economist Hannes Schwandt.
Making Science More Meaningful
October 25, 2022
Northwestern University researchers and their partners received a $7.5 million grant to develop an innovative research-based science curriculum for elementary school classrooms, supported by professional learning resources for teachers.
OpEd: The Pitfalls of School Metrics
October 06, 2022
One size-fits-all metrics don’t fairly measure what matters most in many schools – a student’s mental health, Northwestern University sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa argues in a recent opinion piece in the Washington Post.
What Happens When More Four-Year-Olds Attend Preschool?
August 23, 2022
Northwestern University researchers, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, the Office of the Mayor of Chicago, and the Chicago Department of Family Support and Services, are studying how the recent expansion of universal prekindergarten in Chicago will impact students from lower income backgrounds.
Researchers Study Evanston’s Guaranteed Income Program
August 23, 2022
A team of graduate students is examining the impact of new guaranteed income program, a joint initiative between the University and the City of Evanston to address economic insecurity.
Halverson: Using the Arts to Fix a Broken System
April 21, 2022
Alumna Erica Halverson’s new book “How the Arts Can Save Education” is, strangely enough, not about arts education. Instead, Halverson uses arts practices to fundamentally rethink how “learning” should be measured and to design learning environments and experiences that can serve all kids.
Faculty Contribute to New IES Report on Future of Ed Research
April 15, 2022
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) should change its structures and policies to better meet changing priorities in education – including improving equity and the usefulness of research, according to a new report whose authors include several Northwestern University faculty members.
How the Arts Can Save Education
March 29, 2022
Northwestern alumna Erica Halverson (SoC97, PhD05), a leading thinker and researcher on arts education, will discuss the powerful way creative processes can revitalize schools at 4 p.m. on April 13 in Annenberg Hall’s first floor Cycle Center.
Why You Should Savor Fleeting Moments of Joy
March 10, 2022
Hold back on the bickering. New research co-authored by Northwestern University's Claudia Haase, suggests that couples who share sweet moments filled with humor and affection, and sync up biologically — two hearts beating as one — enjoy better health prospects and live longer than their more quarrelsome counterparts.
Are New Teachers Ready to Teach?
February 15, 2022
Kavita Kapadia Matsko’s research looking at three different ways to consider new teacher readiness for the classroom received the Journal of Teacher Education’s 2022 Article of the Year.
Making an Impact: Faculty Research Named Year's Best
December 22, 2021
Two papers coauthored by researchers at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) were named to the Edutopia’s “10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2021.”
The Dangers of 'Balanced' Climate Change Reporting
December 16, 2021
Journalists often strive to present at least two sides to an issue. But the tendency to appear balanced can backfire when it lends credibility to an idea that most experts consider unmerited, according to new Northwestern University research assessing climate change coverage.
Lam Honored for Immigration Research
December 01, 2021
School of Education and Social Policy Professor Eva Lam and her coauthors received the Alan C. Purves Award from the National Council of Teachers of English for their research looking at what happens when young people tell their own immigration stories through documentary filmmaking.
Here’s How Black Communities Responded to School Closures
November 17, 2021
Black Chicagoans who lived near a school that was shuttered during the largest wave of public-school closures in US history became more politically active and held their local officials accountable, according to a new Northwestern University study coauthored by professor Sally Nuamah.
Researchers Tackle Inequity in STEM Education
November 16, 2021
Four School of Education and Social Policy researchers and alums will help address systemic inequities in PreK-12 STEM education as part of an esteemed National Academies’ committee.
Shrodes Wins AAUW Dissertation Fellowship
November 12, 2021
Graduate student Addie Shrodes has received a highly competitive American Dissertation Fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to support her work looking at how trans and queer teens learn critical digital literacies through everyday activities on social media.
Why We All Pay When Black Girls are Punished
November 10, 2021
Northwestern University’s Sally Nuamah received the 2021 American Political Science Association, Best Paper on Intersectionality Award, for her work looking at how race and gender stereotypes affect public support for punishing Black girls.
Researchers Find Important Nuances in Race, Preschool Discipline
October 27, 2021
Teachers tend to complain more about Black preschool students and identify their behavior as problematic compared to white students — even though researchers found no differences when the children were observed in a laboratory setting, according to a new Northwestern University study.
Uttal Receives $1.3 Million to Study Spatial Thinking
October 15, 2021
Psychologist David Uttal has received four grants worth $1.28 million to study new ways to enhance spatial thinking, the process of looking for patterns in the relationships between objects.
Emma Adam Named Associate Vice President for Research
October 15, 2021
Emma Adam, the Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Human Development and Social Policy in the School of Education and Social Policy has been named associate vice president for research at Northwestern University.
CTD Researchers Win Book, Paper of the Year Awards
October 08, 2021
Researchers at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development have won both Book of the Year and Paper of the Year awards from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).
Teens’ COVID-19 Stress Levels Tied to Parents’ Education
October 08, 2021
Family education levels predicted how much stress teenagers felt during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study by researchers at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.
Graduate Students Win Spencer Dissertation Fellowships
October 04, 2021
Graduate students Nikki McDaid and Sebastián Kiguel have received highly competitive NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowships to support their research and career development.
Carol Lee Wins Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education
September 30, 2021
Northwestern University professor emeritus Carol Lee, president-elect of the National Academy of Education, has received a prestigious Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education for her outstanding contributions to learning sciences research.
Addressing America's Death Problem
September 28, 2021
Americans have shorter lives than similarly situated Europeans, even in the richest areas, according to new Northwestern University research coauthored by School of Education and Social Policy professor Hannes Schwandt. At the same time, longevity of Black Americans has been catching up, and the life expectancy gap between Black and white Americans fell by 48.9%.
New Research: Illinois Fared Well Amid COVID-19 Chaos
September 19, 2021
Illinois is a national model for how to equitably allocate resources during trying times, according to a new report by Northwestern University researchers assessing the response to COVID-19 for child care programs in Illinois.
Learning from Classroom Video: How Can it Help Teachers?
September 13, 2021
Northwestern University professors Jen Richards and Miriam Sherin are co-principal investigators on a $700,000 collaborative National Science Foundation Grant that explores how teachers learn from watching video clips of their classroom.
Trautvetter to Help Probe the Universe’s Deepest Mysteries
August 25, 2021
Professor Lois Trautvetter is part of a new cross-disciplinary fellowship program that brings together astrophysicists and social scientists to tackle data from a massive sky survey, according to Northwestern News.
New Research: Why We Should Listen to Preschoolers
May 28, 2021
Early childhood policies could be vastly improved by listening to the unexpectedly wise voices of those who stand to benefit: children as young as four years old, according to new Northwestern University research published in Translational Issues in Psychological Science.
Leading Education Scholars: There's No Going Back
May 18, 2021
Schools should not return to the old “normal,” despite concerns about potential learning loss after a year of disruption, leading education scholars argue in a new report by the Spencer Foundation and the Learning Policy Institute.
New Study: Having More Immigrant Peers Can Boost Scores For U.S.-Born Students
May 17, 2021
A timely new study coauthored by School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio finds that immigrant children and teenagers “could be an unexpected boon for native-born students should they reach American classrooms,” Asher Lehrer-Small wrote in The 74.
Undergrads Pursue Novel Research Projects
April 29, 2021
Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy students received 2020-21 Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grants (AYURG) to study everything from athletic shoe culture to the impacts of COVID19- and the Black Lives Matter movement on Black-owned businesses.
Presence of Immigrant Students Boosts Test Scores for All
April 25, 2021
U.S.-born students with high exposure to immigrants in their schools scored better on math and reading tests than similar students with low exposure to immigrants, according to a working paper co-authored by School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio and published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
A Sneak Peek Inside the Destin Lab
April 21, 2021
Northwestern University social psychologist Mesmin Destin, a recent Guggenheim Fellow selection, explores how the presumed “disadvantages” related to students’ backgrounds can carry unrecognized strengths, Kirsten Weir wrote in “Finding Strength in Hardship.”
Vakil Receives Spencer Grant to Study Engineering Students, Islamic Revolution
March 22, 2021
Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil received a $346,000 Spencer Foundation large research grant to study how the cultural, religious, and political context of late 20th century Iran shaped a premiere engineering university in the years leading up to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Carol Lee Leads SESP Scholars at AERA
March 22, 2021
More than two dozen School of Education and Social Policy faculty members, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars will present their latest research on a wide range of education issues at the 2021 virtual American Education Research Association annual meeting held April 8 through 12.
Adult vs. Child-Centered Learning: Why We Need Another Path
March 09, 2021
Teachers often act as hands-off facilitators in makerspace settings, letting children lead the way. But what happens when they step back too far?
When Education Research Benefits Both Sides
January 29, 2021
Research partnerships between Universities and school districts need to be mutually beneficial, long term, and thoughtfully structured, Northwestern University researchers said during the annual meeting of the Mindset Scholars Network.
Loeschner Lecturer Addresses a Growing Crisis: Hunger on College Campuses
November 18, 2020
Temple University professor Sara Goldrick-Rab, whose research inspired the documentary film “Hungry to Learn,” urged universities to collect data on hunger and food insecurity among their students in the latest installment of the School of Education and Social Policy's Nancy and Ray Loeschner Leadership Series at Northwestern University.
New Research: Being Upbeat Predicts Less Memory Decline
November 03, 2020
Being positive predicts less decline in memory during the aging process, according to a new study co-authored by researchers in the Life-Span Development Laboratory, including Claudia Haase, Emily Hittner, and Jacquelyn Stephens.
Loneliness and Uncertainty Major Stressors for College Students
November 01, 2020
Stress from COVID-19 — along with stress related to health care, the economy, racism and the presidential election — is seriously threatening the mental health of our country, particularly our youngest generation, according to a new national survey from the American Psychological Association (APA).
Understanding the Election: A Big Ten Collaboration
October 02, 2020
Election scholars from across the nation will discuss student voter registration, polling in key states and potential outcomes of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election during a special event open to all Big Ten students and guests.
Hunger and College Campuses: Sara Goldrick-Rab Delivers Upcoming Loeschner Lecture
September 23, 2020
Sara Goldrick-Rab, whose research inspired the documentary film “Hungry to Learn,” will speak on hunger and food insecurity among college students in the next installment of the School of Education and Social Policy's Nancy and Ray Loeschner Leadership Series.
Why STEM Education Shouldn’t Return to ‘Normal’
August 25, 2020
Young people would be better served by STEM education that teaches them to deal with the moral and ethical complexity of problems like pandemics and climate change, University of Illinois-Chicago and Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy education researchers argued in Truthout.
Rising Scholars Receive NAEd/Spencer Fellowships and Awards
June 14, 2020
Five early career researchers – including doctoral students Julissa Muñiz and Cora Wigger – were among the winners of the prestigious 2020 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Postdoctoral and Dissertation Fellowships Awards.
Why Pregnant Women Can Be 'Cautiously Optimistic'
May 29, 2020
Pregnant women and their children should fare much better during the COVID-19 pandemic than their counterparts who experienced the 1918 Spanish Influenza, a Northwestern University report suggests.
COVID Impacts Leave More Families Hungry
May 21, 2020
The amount of economic distress families are facing requires “an urgent and sustained response from the federal government,” according to a new analysis of food insecurity by Northwestern University professor and economist Diane Schanzenbach and research analyst Abigail Pitts.
What Happens When You Start Work During a Recession?
April 22, 2020
Recent graduates who are unlucky enough to join the workforce during a recession will likely see a loss in income and negative health effects over their lifetime, Northwestern University economist Hannes Schwandt told political analyst Amy Walter, host of The Takeaway, Fridays.
The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning
March 08, 2020
In his latest book, The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning, Dan McAdams asserts that Donald Trump may be the rare person who lacks any inner story, something most people develop to give their lives unity, meaning, and purpose.
Kirabo Jackson: Invest in Education Early and Often
January 15, 2020
Educational investments are most cost-effective when they start early and are sustained throughout childhood, Northwestern University’s Kirabo Jackson said during the Education Policy Institute’s (EPI) Annual Lecture in London’s City Hall.
Study: Fatal School Shootings Increase Antidepressant Use Among Youths
December 16, 2019
The rate of antidepressant use among youths under age 20 rose by 21 percent on average in the local communities where fatal school shootings occurred, according to a new study by Northwestern, Stanford, and Yale University researchers.
SESP Hosts Education Writers' Seminar on College Pathways
November 22, 2019
Almost all high school graduates now attend college, but that doesn’t mean they’re receiving a degree, Northwestern University’s James Rosenbaum told journalists during a two-day Education Writers Association seminar in Chicago that explored gaps between high school and post-secondary education.
Job Openings for Students New to Research
November 11, 2019
Several School of Education and Social Policy faculty members are looking for undergraduate students with no prior experience to help with research projects as part of the Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP).
Are All Head Start Classrooms Created Equal?
July 30, 2019
Individual classrooms within the Head Start program vary in quality and don’t always reflect the school as a whole, according to a new Northwestern University study published in the American Educational Research Journal.
Emissions-Cheating Vehicles Linked to Worse Health in Babies, Children Across U.S.
June 18, 2019
A new study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is the first to show that diesel cars implicated in the emissions-cheating scandal had population-level impacts on infant and child health.
Evanston Sixth Graders Use ‘Design Thinking’ to Tackle Climate Change
June 03, 2019
A straw made from wheatgrass, stormwater ice cream, and a food waste prevention app were just some the solutions Evanston sixth graders devised to address climate change as part of the first citywide project-based learning showcase.
Adam to Discuss Work on Sleep, Equity
May 06, 2019
Emma Adam, one of the world’s leading researchers on stress, race, and sleep, will discuss Sleep Equity: Good Sleep as a Resource (and a Right?) during the One SESP Graduate Student Dinner and Discussion.
Why You Don’t Want to Leave School During a Recession
May 05, 2019
The bad luck of leaving school during hard economic times can lead to higher rates of early death and permanent differences in life circumstances, Northwestern University’s Hannes Schwandt wrote in a policy brief.
Computer Scientists and Learning Scientists Join Forces
May 04, 2019
Computer science classes and boot camps have never been more popular. But how can we help the next generation of students feel empowered by this technology? And how can that education reach everyone – not just those who are drawn to the traditional notions of computer science?
Northwestern Hosts First Computer Science and Learning Sciences Symposium
April 15, 2019
Distinguished leaders and rising stars in computer science and learning sciences will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the field of education during the first annual symposium on computing and learning April 28- 30 at Northwestern University.
Rosenbaum Receives Career Award – But Far From Slowing Down
April 10, 2019
James Rosenbaum’s ability to cultivate talented researchers and his passion for tackling pressing social issues recently earned him the Elizabeth G. Cohen Distinguished Career in Applied Sociology of Education Award from the American Education Research Association.
Women in STEM: How Can Universities Close Gender Gaps?
March 19, 2019
Colleges and universities that invest in gender parity ultimately help support women pursuing careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), according to a new book co-authored by Northwestern University’s Lois Trautvetter.
Doctoral Candidate Selected to Millennium Scholars Program
March 07, 2019
While working as an eighth-grade math teacher, Andrea Kinghorn Busby saw how her students’ lives outside school intersected with their classroom experiences.
Economists and Psychologists Agree: Inequality Saps Opportunities and Motivation
March 02, 2019
Rising economic inequality makes people less likely to believe that upward mobility is possible, shaping both their motivation and behavior, according to a research review published in the journal Nature Human Behavior.
Does a Teen's Bedtime Really Matter?
February 27, 2019
An earlier bedtime may help teenagers by improving executive functioning abilities like memory, self-control, and problem solving, according to preliminary Northwestern University research.
Faculty Spotlight: Terri Sabol Rethinks Early Childhood Education
February 09, 2019
The promise of change guides Terri Sabol’s thinking—and rethinking—of early childhood education issues. She examines how classrooms, families, and neighborhoods each play a role in a child’s development.
How Leaders Can Lighten the Load
January 24, 2019
Initiative overload. It’s a condition many employees experience when senior leaders launch too many major projects.
Mesmin Destin Wins Early Career Award
January 15, 2019
Northwestern University psychologist Mesmin Destin, whose research emphasizes the key role socioeconomic status plays in the study of human behavior, was recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) for his stellar work in the early stages of his career.